Category: This Week

Big Events June 15, 2023 and beyond

Saturday, June 17

The Flashy Flock Community Art Project is starting today at Twiggs Gallery (251 King St., Boscawen) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The project pays homage to the farming roots of Boscawen. There will be a horse-drawn plow demonstration as well as wooden chicken cutouts for residents to take and display on their yards.Food and take-home crafts will be available for purchase. Visit twiggsgallery.org for more information.

Saturday, June 17

Today is the Manchester Pride Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Veterans Park (723 Elm St.). There will be different forms of entertainment, including a drag queen storytime, food, more than 50 vendors, and an art extravaganza by Queerlective. Once the day’s events finish up, there will be an after party at Jewel Music Collective (61 Canal St.). Tickets to the after party cost $25 for general admission, $45 for VIP. For more information, see the “Granite State Pride” story in our June 8 issue online or visit manchestertrue.org.

Saturday, June 17

See the Aquamarines, the only artistic swimming team in New Hampshire, for their 53rd annual water show, titled “Synchro through the Ages,” at 1 p.m. today at The Boys & Girls Club of Nashua (1 Positive Place). The team is made up of athletes from 6 to 18 years old; they will demonstrate how artistic swimming has changed through the decades. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children 4 and younger or for members of BGCN. For more information, visit bgcn.com.

Sunday, June 18

The Fully Loaded Comedy Festival is tonight at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion (72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford) at 7 p.m. The show will have comedic superstars including Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Norton, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased at banknhpavilion.com.

Tuesday, June 20

See the classic rockabilly band Dancing Madly Backwards tonight at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Henniker Concert Series at the Community Park. The band, formed in Rochester, is known for playing music from alternative to modern to rhythm and blues. For more information about the concert, visit henniker.org.

Tuesday, June 20

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Tom Raffio to speak about his new book, Stories from the Starting Line, today at 6:30 p.m. Raffio’s book explores stories of New Hampshire runners and why they run. Raffio interviewed everyone from stroller pushers to veterans with 100 races under their belts. For more information visit gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 24
The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) will host Trinity, a band that covers Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, at 7:30 p.m. The five-man group covers classics of the golden age of rock music. Tickets cost $29 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Big Events June 8, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, June 8

Celebrating Billy Joel – America’s Piano Man is coming to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the pianist’s album Piano Man. The multi-instrumental band will play all of Joel’s hits. Tickets to the show cost $29 to $59 and can be purchased at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Saturday, June 10

Today is the first day of the Motorcycle Week at New Hampshire Motor Speedways (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon) starting at 10 a.m. The event runs from today through June 18 with events on and off the track, like demo rides by Katancha and Harley-Davidson, USCRA FIM North American Vintage Championship races, and classes with Penguin Roadracing School. The event is free to attend. Visit nhms.com for more information.

Saturday, June 10

Join The Sweet Spot at Sheridan Emmett Park (324 Beech St., Manchester) for a Summer Kickoff Craft Fair from noon to 4 p.m. There will be 40 vendors selling crafts and goods. For more information, visit facebook.com/thesweetspotandco.

Saturday, June 10

The Range (96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason) has the first concert in its Summer Concert Series tonight. The show will feature jam band Max Creek, which first formed in 1971. Tickets cost $30 in advance, $38 the day of, and kids younger than 6 years old are free. Visit therangemason.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

Sunday, June 11

NH Guitars (41 Range Road, Windham) is hosting an informal summer jam session outside the shop today from 2 to 5 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring their own guitars or pick one up at the shop and join the team of instructors and professional musicians. Custom bass and guitar builder Mike Saint Germain will be at the jam for a meet-and-greet. For more information visit nhguitars.com.

Tuesday, June 13

SEE Science Center is teaming up with Science on Tap and Science Café NH to present Science Discussion Roadshow at the VFW Post 8641 (292 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). The topic will be the science behind ice cream. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. More information about this event can be found at see-sciencecenter.org.

Tuesday, June 13

The Henniker Concert Series starts tonight with Peabody’s Coal Train, a New Hampshire-based Americana six-piece band that started up in 2023. The concert is at 6:30 p.m. at the Angela Robinson Bandstand (57 Main St.). In case of rain the event will be moved to the Community Center adjacent to the park. There will be food available by Primetime Grilled Cheese. Visit Facebook.com/HennikerConcert.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 17
The awards ceremony for the 23rd annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic is today at 8 p.m. on the Hampton Beach Sea Shell Stage (100 Ocean Blvd.). Voting for the people’s choice portion of the award will be from 1 to 3 p.m. The ceremony is followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The sculptures will be on display at Hampton Beach through June 26. For more information visit hamptonbeach.org

Big Events June 1, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, June 1

Plant sale season continues.Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org) begins its Kirkwood Gardens plant sale today (900 Route 3 in Holderness); it continues through Sunday, June 18, or until the plants run out. The Derry Garden Club will have a sale on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Robert Frost Farm (122 Rockingham Road, Derry). The Sandown Garden Club is (sandowngardenclub.org) hosting its plant sale on Saturday, June 3,from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sandown Fire Station (314 Main St.). The Hooksett Garden Club’s (hooksettnhgardenclub.org) annual plant sale will be on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at R&R Public Wholesalers (1371 Hooksett Road). The New Hampshire Audubon (nhaudubon.org) will have a plant sale and craft fair on Sunday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord). Tell us about upcoming sales at [email protected]

Friday, June 2

Evergreen Woodland Garden (42 Summer St. in Goffstown) is “a naturalistic one-acre woodland garden created by landscape designer Robert Gillmore and named for its extensive massed evergreen plantings,” according to evergreenfoundationnh.org. The garden, which the website says features 220 Catawba rhododendrons and 175 massed rosebay rhododendrons, will open to the public (no children under 12 or pets) to tour for free today through Sunday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Friday, June 2

The town of Bennington will host a rhubarb festival today through Sunday, June 4, at Sawyer Memorial Park (Route 202) in Bennington. The celebration will include a pie contest, food trucks, vendors, live-action roleplay demonstrations, live music (Eyes of Age today at 6 p.m.; Boneshakerz on Saturday at 6 p.m.), petting zoos and more. Admission and parking to the festival are free. Find the event on Facebook.

Friday, June 2

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost from $25 to $46 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org. The show continues through Sunday, June 25, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays.

Saturday, June 3

The Goffstown Rotary Club’s (Parsons Drive) car show runs today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include food trucks and raffles as well as a show of classic automobiles. Admission for spectators is free. See goffstownrotary.org

Sunday, June 4

The WWE Supershow comes to the the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at snhuarena.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, June 24
The annual In Full Bloom garden tour at the Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord) will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The self-guided tour will cover the eight public and private gardens. The event is rain or shine, $20 in advance, $25 the day of. Visit concordgardenclubnh.com/events.

Big Events May 25, 2023 and beyond

Monday, May 29

Several towns celebrate today, Memorial Day, with a parade.

Concord’s Memorial Day runs from 9 to 10 a.m. with the parade starting at Christ the King Church and ending up at City Plaza for a brief ceremony, according to concordnh.gov, where you can find the route.

Windham’s parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from Center School, according to windhamnh.gov.

Henniker’s parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs from Henniker Community School to Henniker Community Park, according to henniker.org.

Hopkinton’s parade also starts at 10 a.m. and runs along Main Street, starting and ending at Harold Martin School, where there will be a short ceremony and a performance by the Hopkinton Town Band, according to hopkinton-nh.gov.

Litchfield Historical Society starts its parade at 10 a.m. at Litchfield Middle School and ending at the Historical Society building, to be followed by a program featuring Campbell High School Chorus and Band performances and more, according to litchfieldnh.gov.

In Raymond, the parade starts at 10 a.m. at Argo and goes to the New Pine Grove Cemetery and Old Pine Grove Cemetery, according to a post on the town’s Facebook page. The parade is followed by a ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon.

In Pelham, VFW Post 10722 and American Legion Post 100 will host the town’s parade and ceremonies with the parade stepping off at 10:30 a.m. headed to Gibson Cemetery, according to pelhamweb.com, where you can find a full listing of events, which include a town cookout.

The Londonderry American Legion Post 27 will hold a parade and open house with the parade stepping off at 11 a.m. from Robert Lincoln Way, according to Post 27’s Facebook post.

In Hudson, American Legion Post 48 will hold a parade starting at 2 p.m. in front of the Hannaford parking lot to Hudson Common for a memorial ceremony and then to the American Legion, according to a post on the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce website (hudsonchamber.com).

Thursday, May 25

Watch the work in progress by the four artists participating in this year’s Nashua International Sculpture Symposium at Picker Artists (3 Pine St. in Nashua), where they are working Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See nashuasculpturesymposium.org,.

Saturday, May 27

Bow Garden Club’s plant sale runs today from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bow Community Center (2 Knox Road in Bow), according to the group’s Facebook page.

Sunday, May 28

A few early Memorial Day parades today: The Penacook Memorial Day Parade is slotted for 9 to 10 a.m on Village Street, concordnh.gov. In Bedford the parade steps off at 1 p.m. on County Road from Bedford High School to McKelvie Intermediate School. See bedfordnh.myrec.com.

Sunday, May 28

Check out Chad LaMarsh at the Derryfield (625 Mammoth Road in Manchester) playing an acoustic show on the deck from 5 to 8 p.m. Find more live music in the Music This Week listing, which starts on page 48.

Sunday, May 28

Hampton Beach Village District hosts fireworks tonight at 9:30 p.m. at the top of B and C Streets; see hamptonbeach.org.

Monday, May 29

More town celebrations: The Bow Community Men’s Club hosts a ceremony and community picnic at the Bow Gazebo (1 Knox Road in Bow) from 4 to 6 p.m, according to bownh.gov. The Hollis Memorial Day Ceremony at the Common starts at 4:30 p.m. today, according to hollisnh.org.

Big Events May 18, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, May 18

Find new ways to help the community at The Greater Nashua Volunteer Fair today at 4 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org). There will be more than 30 organizations looking for teen and adult volunteers to sign up.

Saturday, May 20

The Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is hosting its Third Annual Cornhole for a Cause, a tournament fundraiser for the shelter, today at The Biergarten at Merrimack Anheuser-Busch (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). The event starts at 11 a.m. and registration is $75 for a team of two players. There will be raffles and other prizes to win, and registered team members will receive commemorative T-shirts. Visit nashuahabitat.org to register.

Saturday, May 20

It’s another big plant sale weekend! The Bedford Garden Club (bedfordgardenclubnh.org) will hold its sale today at the Bedford Village Common (15 Bell Hill Road) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Goffstown Community Garden Club (facebook.com/goffstowngardenclub) will hold its sale at the Goffstown Commons on Main Street from 8 a.m. to noon. The Nashua Garden Club (nashuanhgardenclub.org) will hold its sale at the Nashua Historical Society (5 Abbott St. in Nashua) from 8 a.m. to noon. The Massabesic Garden Club (massabesicgc.org) will hold its sale today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Griffin Free Library (22 Hooksett Road in Auburn) on the patio. The Milford Garden Club (milfordnhgardenclub.org) will hold its sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the Community House lawn. Stop by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester (669 Union St. in Manchester; uumanchester.org) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their plant sale. Project Inspire 603 (find them on Facebook) is holding a sale Friday, May 19, and today, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 88 Kelsey Mill Road in Northwood (the sale raises funds for school supplies). The GFWC Dover Area Women’s Club (doverareagfwc.org) is holding its spring plant sale at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce (550 Central Ave. in Dover) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Know of an upcoming plant sale? Let us know at [email protected].

Saturday, May 20

The Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) will feature Samantha Bee on its Chubb Theatre stage tonight in her self-titled show Samantha Bee: Your Favorite Womanat 8 p.m. Bee currently holds the title for being the longest-serving regular Daily Show correspondent of all time and is known for her own weekly late-night show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Tickets start at $48.25.

Saturday, May 20

The Life’s a Drag 21+ Show at Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) tonight at 9 p.m. will feature some of the fiercest performers from New England for a high-energy and interactive experience, according to the website. Tickets cost $25.

Sunday, May 21

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus wraps up their Spring 2023 Concert Serieswith a performance of “Silver Seasons of Love – How Do You Measure 25 Years?” at the Derryfield School (2108 River Road in Manchester) at 4 p.m. (The chorus also performs Saturday, May 20, in Newington at 7:30 p.m.). The show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the chorus; see the story about the chorus in the May 4 issue of The Hippo (hippopress.com to find the e-edition, the story is on page 16). Tickets for this event start at $17.50 and can be purchased at nhgmc.com.

Save the Date! Saturday, July 29
Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) will host An Evening with David Sedaris on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m. Sedaris is the bestselling author behind Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. He is celebrating the release of his newest book, Happy Go Lucky. After the reading, he will be holding a Q-and-A session and a book signing. Presale for tickets open to Spectacle Live members on May 19, and presale prices start at $52. Visit nashuacenterforthearts.com for more information.

Big Events May 11, 2023 and beyond

Friday, May 12

Winners of Rolling Stone’s readers poll for “Best New American Band” in 1987, the BoDeans are performing tonight at 8 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com). The band, which has had 10 records that hit the Billboard Top 200 Chart, is known for hit songs like “Fadeaway,” “Only Love,” and “Dreams.” Tickets start at $29.

Saturday, May 13

It’s plant sale season!

The Amherst Garden Club (amherstgardenclub.org) will highlight native plants at its plant sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wilkins School (80 Boston Post Road in Amherst). The Hopkinton Garden Club (hopkintongardenclub.org) will hold its sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hopkinton Town Common (Park Street side). The Colonial Garden Club of Hollis (hollisgardenclub.org) will hold its sale from 9 a.m .to noon today at the Lawrence Barn Field on Depot Road in Hollis. Fuller Gardens (10 Willow Ave. in North Hampton; 964-5414, fullergardens.org) is holding its sale all weekend: Friday, May 12, through Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Have an upcoming plant sale? Let us know at [email protected].

And if you’re more of a plant appreciator than a plant planter, check out the Lilac Walk on Monday, May 15, at 1 p.m. Beaver Brook in Hollis. Registration costs $20; see beaverbrook.org.

Saturday, May 13

Join the Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury) for their opening day today at 10 a.m. The ceremony will have a 5K race, information about the new exhibition “For Shakers, By Shakers: Canterbury Shaker Furniture from the Collection,” and a chance for visitors to meet the curator of collections, Shirley Wajda. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at shakers.org.

Saturday, May 13

Today, SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) welcomes the Monster Jam starting at 7 p.m. World-class drivers will show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the event championship. Tickets start at $15.

Saturday, May 13

Boston musician, songwriter and storyteller Ellis Paul is performing today at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Paul will perform songs that weave intimate, provocative and romantic tales, according to the Rex’s website. Tickets start at $29.

Wednesday, May 17

Needlework is on display at the Doubletree Hilton in Nashua (2 Somerset Parkway) for the 29th annual Celebration of Needlework today, starting at 3 p.m. The four-day celebration will have a variety of classes, shopping, raffles and a silent auction. Admission costs $9 for one day, $17 for two days, and $25 for three days. Some classes have additional fees. Visit celebrationofnw.com for more information.

Wednesday, May 17

New Hampshire Public Radio’s Jason Moon and Rabia Chaudry will discuss Bear Brook: Season 2 with Rebecca Lavoie at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) today at 7 p.m. The live show looks at the second season of the series which tells the story of Jason Carroll, who is serving a life sentence for a murder he said he didn’t commit, according to ccanh.com, where tickets to the event start at $40.75.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 20
Join the American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) for Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure in the Folsom Tavern. The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and ticket prices range from $12 to $25. Visit